[ Page - 8 ] 2019-01-19
 
Kuwait probing vandalism at Bangladesh Embassy
150 expats picked up for questioning
 
Kuwaiti authorities were investigating Thursday's vandalism and physical assaults on staff inside Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait by a group of agitated Bangladeshi workers, said an official on Friday, reports UNB.

He said the probe was being carried out through analysing CCTV footage.

The Bangladesh Embassy, however, requested the Kuwaiti authorities not to harass any innocent worker during the investigation process.

"We'll make sure that no innocent worker is harassed. We've already talked to officials concerned in Kuwait. They've assured us in this regard," Bangladesh Ambassador to Kuwait SM Abul Kalam said describing what happened on the day.

On Thursday, a group of Bangladeshi workers ransacked the Embassy property, including computers and TV, despite assurance from the ambassador to address their issues through discussions.

Some 300-400 Bangladeshi workers, employees of a Kuwaiti company, took position in front of the embassy expressing their grievances against the company over arrears of three months - October-December 2018 - and iqamas (work permits) in the morning.

"I had a meeting with a small group of them inside the Embassy and identified their three problems, including arrears and iqama renewal," said the ambassador. He told the workers' representatives that their demand would be resolved through consultation with the company officials.

Later, the ambassador had another meeting with the manager (operation) of the company on the same day at his office asking him to address the issues raised by Bangladeshi workers.

Ambassador Kalam said the company representative assured him of disbursing the arrears by February 5 and he also obtained a written statement from him for resolving the workers' issues.

When the company representative was going out from the embassy, some of the workers stopped him and got engaged in scuffling.

Counsellor (Political) and head of chancery Md Anisuzzaman and two other staff came under attacks who were trying to help the company representative get into his car, embassy officials said.

At one stage, some of the workers entered the embassy and ransacked its furniture indiscriminately despite ambassador's assurances and requests to return to work.

On request, members of law enforcement agencies rushed to the spot and picked up around 150 workers for questioning, said the embassy sources.

The embassy also conveyed the overall situation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh, said an official.
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